Father
There was once a young girl with hair the color of a black pearl and equally mesmerizing black eyes. Her personality was as rare as a black diamond. She had the patience unseen in girls her age. Her wisdom was beyond that of her elders. But most unique about this girl was her ability to see a person’s death. She couldn’t tell you how you would die, nor did she wish to have such knowledge. She only could tell a person the exact date and time they would pass. Down to the millisecond.
Her ability frightened most people. In fact, many had called the police on her to have her arrested on charges of killing those whose death she had foreseen. However, there was never any substantial evidence to support these claims, so the girl was left alone.
The girl was found wondering the streets and put into the foster system at age twelve. Due to her terrifying ability, she was forced to jump from house to house until a family decided to take her in permanently. Their reason? She brought in a substantial income for them. They set her up in a small, secluded, terrifying part of town to make money off those who wished to know their date of death. They claimed the area set the stage for the dreary news. She knew the truth though. It was cheap. They could rent the place out for minimal cost, leaving the rest of the money to be spent however they pleased.
“August 22nd. Year, 2035. Hour, 14:20 and fifteen seconds.”
“And you’re positive this is my time of death.”
Lily looks up at the man. Her eyes seem to have a glaze over them. A blank look completely devoid of all emotion.
“I’ve never been wrong,” her emotionless voice cut through the man’s heart. This girl has a terrifying demeanor. One that spoke volumes of her hard life and bleak future.
The man nods. He pulls out his checkbook, writing out the amount due. 2035 was still several years down the road thankfully. He doesn’t have much to worry about for now.
Lily accepts the check with a nod. As she watches the man leave, her mind wonders how he will live the time he has left. Many people with years left tend to change nothing. It’s those that have less than a year that make the biggest difference.
Lily releases a sigh as she checks her phone. Seven pm. Time to head back the house. She can’t even bring herself to call it home. Her foster parents, the Harsons, were an awful pair. Both loved to splurge money on useless things and the couple only had foster kids to get more money from the government or take their anger out on. Neither did any respectable work. In fact, Lily wasn’t quite sure what either of them did. All she knew was there were a lot of shady people who came around. She avoided them when possible. Which meant rarely ever. She was eighteen and had taken it upon herself to look after the many children under the Harson’s roof. She loved those children as if they were her own. She did everything in her power to keep them from harm. Even if that meant placing it in her path. Those children were the only reason she was still in that dreadful place.
Lily slowly climbs the rickety steps that lead onto the porch and to the front door. Though the funds were sufficient to afford a better dwelling, they couldn’t let the government know they had such funds. Her cold heart chills when she hears the shouting and the screaming coming from deep within the house.
No,was the only thought going through Lily’s head as she rushes to push open the door. Barreling into the kitchen, she spots little Pete curled up in a ball on the floor. Mr. Harson has a bat in his hand, ready to swing. Mrs. Harson is yelling something about giving Pete a good beating. That he deserves it.
Swift as the wind, Lily brings herself between Mr. Harson and the shivering Pete. She stares Mr. Harson down with her diamond black eyes sparkling with deep emotion.
“Mr. Harson, I don’t know what Pete has done, but I will take his punishment,” Lily announces, her voice showing no hint of hesitation or fear.
Mr. Harson smirks as Pete whimpers out, “No Lily. It’s my fault. I’ll be ok.”
Lily’s only acknowledgement is her quiet response, “Get out of here Pete. Now.”
Pete hesitates, only to receive a glare from Lily. Not wanting to disappointment Lily or make the situation worse for her, Pete trips his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his room. Only after hearing the door close did Mrs. Harson speak up.
“Well? What are you waiting for honey? I need compensation for my vase.”
Her voice was smug as she says the harsh words. It was then that Lily notices the glass shards all over the kitchen floor. She recognizes the shards belong to a cheap vase that holds no sentimental value to either of the Harsons. In other words, something must have happened during the day, and they were looking for a target to take it out on.
“On your knees,” Mr. Harson orders as he points his bat at Lily’s face.
She carefully kneels on the broken glass, hiding her wince as a few pieces begin digging into the skin.
“This is what you wanted, wasn’t it?” Mr. Harson gloats as he raises his bat.
Lily gently closes her eyes, accepting the fate before her.
